The start of a quieter, cleaner future
When the lorries roll into the Igelsta plant in Södertälje, up to 130 a day during peak season, something more than just fuel deliveries is going on. They are the pulse of Söderenergi's energy production - but they have also been a symbol of a future challenge. Because although transport accounted for only a tenth of the company's fossil fuel emissions, it wasn't the climate goal of going fossil-free by 2030 that first raised the issue. It was about something more. A desire to take responsibility for the environment in which the company operates. To contribute to calmer urban environments. To reduce noise, exhaust fumes and energy consumption. And perhaps most importantly: to lead the way in a difficult transition.
An electrified direction
The assessment was that electrification was the most promising track. The goal was to eventually electrify the entire transport chain - from trucks and work machines to service vehicles and, to some extent, ships. But it soon became clear that success would require a thorough understanding of what such a transition actually meant - both internally and externally. Sigholm was commissioned to lead a feasibility study for charging infrastructure for heavy vehicles. The study covered everything from technical mapping to business arrangements and physical establishment sites at Igelsta (production site) and Nykvarn (fuel terminal). Electricity needs, logistics impact, payment models, business intelligence, study visits and coordination with the REEL project were just some of the components that needed to be included. REEL is a national initiative where leading Swedish actors have joined forces to accelerate the transition to electrified emission-free heavy transport on our roads.
Conditions in constant flux
During the course of the work, it became clear that this was not a traditional feasibility study project. The rapid development of vehicle electrification, together with uncertain political conditions and an immature market, meant that the feasibility study was more like an innovation project. It required a different approach - with elements of business intelligence, knowledge transfer, anchoring and close dialogue between different stakeholders. Instead of delivering a pre-drawn map of the future, the report became a snapshot: a way to clarify the current situation, dependencies and what is needed to take the next step.
From analysis to action
Despite the challenges, the feasibility study resulted in concrete proposals - and a pilot project could be launched. The first step was to electrify transport between Södertälje and Nykvarn using a 98-tonne truck. However, in light of the uncertainties, the project group chose to pause an application for a grant from Klimatklivet. The feasibility study was completed in spring 2023 and became the start of something bigger: Söderenergi's electrification programme. Since then, several sub-projects have been launched, and Sigholm continues to contribute with support and business intelligence. The electrification programme has gone from idea to reality - one step at a time.
